TV news station CBS Philly reports how Walgreen's Take Care Clinic nurse practitioner Renee Corradetti noticed an abnormality in a patient's throat, which later led to a diagnosis of an aggressive form of throat cancer.

With National PA Week just around the corner in early October, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants is looking to help educate consumers about the important role that physician assistants play in making health care more accessible.

As healthcare reform takes hold and millions of previously uninsured Americans come into the fold amid the backdrop of a growing physician shortage, thousands of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in retail-based health clinics are demonstrating the vital role that they play in today’s healthcare system to expand access to high-quality, affordable health care. To recognize the best of the best, DSN Collaborative Care magazine — in partnership with the Convenient Care Association — each year hosts the annual Clinician Awards for Retail Excellence, or CARE Awards. The CARE Awards honor the “unsung heroes” who work each day to help further the cause of retail-based health care.

The "vast majority" of available mobile apps focused on health and wellness have limited functionality or evidence of value in advancing healthcare provision and outcomes, according to a new report by IMS Health.

I have been thinking about this column for a long time — the quintessential advice for how to work NACDS Total Store Expo next month. This morning I had one of those Hunter S. Thompson "eureka" moments.

Three-in-five consumers indicate that looking their best is an important part of how they measure overall health, according to an online survey of almost 700 AccentHealth viewers conducted in April. However, this figure grows to 73% among those who are most proactive about wellness.

For the most common conditions suffered by consumers or someone in their household, OTCs served as the first line of defense for more than 40% of consumers across the board, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers that was conducted in September.

For the 77% of AccentHealth viewers who had experienced heartburn in the past year, 46% used an OTC treatment for relief. For top five symptoms/conditions experienced by viewers in the past year — including cold, cough/sore throat, headache, sinus/nasal congestion and runny nose — 43% of consumers used OTCs to address those conditions before other treatment options.

More and more, consumers are turning to OTCs as the first line of defense when they first get sick — regardless of the condition suffered — and that appears to be consistent among AccentHealth viewers. According to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in September, one-quarter of patients said they have increased their use of OTC products in the past year.

Walgreens pharmacists are on the frontlines of a new transition of care program, WellTransitions, which brings hospitals and health systems together with Walgreens in a coordinated care model designed to reduce readmission rates and overall healthcare costs while improving patient health outcomes and medication adherence, Walgreens announced.

When given a choice, patients prefer to receive an electronic prescription if they receive a prescription from their physician, according to the most recent Patient Views infographic. To be specific, 64% of respondents said they would choose an e-prescription when provided an option, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. How many patients are actually given a choice as to how they receive their prescription, and how many currently are receiving electronic prescriptions?

People go to doctor offices for a variety of reasons — for annual physicals, for checkups after previous appointments, to figure out why something is acting up or if they just feel sick. Whatever the reasons, most of them walk out of the office with a prescription in hand, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

The interest in healthcare reform has reached a new high, especially in light of the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, yet there's no denying that consumers are still unclear as to the impact on their personal healthcare and insurance issues. That being said, Americans see a need for change as they battle rising costs and a lack of access to care, and many are saying "aye" to healthcare reform, according to the most recent Patient Views infographic. To be specific, two-thirds of respondents say they support healthcare reform, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

A lot of people have quite a few things to say about healthcare reform, whether they favor or oppose it. But supporters of the law show an altruistic sensibility and an understanding of how the law would benefit other Americans, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

Costs are the biggest concern for opponents of healthcare reform. They’ve done the math — additional healthcare consumers means care that’s both more expensive and harder to come by. As many as 3-in-4 consumers who are not big fans of healthcare reform share that concern — 30% of those consumers suggested it’s their greatest concern, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. A reduction in care quality was concern No. 2 (62%), and a lack of choice over which practitioner to see was concern No. 3 (58%). But at least they’ll still be covered — only 22% said they were concerned their employers would stop the coverage.

When all things are equal — particularly, cost! — there is no doubt that satisfied pharmacy customers are fiercely loyal to their preferred stores. But like Cyndi Lauper once sang, "Money changes everything," particularly for the 32% of Patient Views respondents who said they would be willing to change pharmacies for a savings of $5 or less, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

A satisfied customer could just offer the highest return on investment of any marketing vehicle available to a retail pharmacy, according to the most recent Patient Views infographic. In all, 72% of patients say they would recommend their preferred pharmacy to their friends and family, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. And again, grocery stores finished at the top (80%). If you've been following Patient Views every day, you’d know that 73% of patients say they are very satisfied with their preferred pharmacy.

With Walgreens back in the Express Scripts network again and all of those millions of patients suddenly up for grabs, today's Patient Views infographic is an important reminder of how difficult it can be to get pharmacy patients to switch — that is, assuming things like cost and access are equal. Overall, 73% of patients said they were very satisfied with the their preferred pharmacy, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. Interestingly enough, grocery stores finished at the top of the curve.

When asked about interest in using retail clinics to obtain specific medical services, the care model holds strong appeal for patients across several treatment categories, according to a Harris Interactive poll released Monday.

Restricted pharmacy networks are becoming more prevalent, and mandatory mail has long been a threat, but the good news among Patient Views panelists is that more than 8-out-of-10 say their insurance allows them to go to the pharmacy of their choice, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

Poll

Poll

Which of the current U.S. Presidential hopefuls do you think would be best for your business?

Hillary Clinton

Jeb Bush

Donald Trump

Ted Cruz

Ben Carson

Scott Walker

Marco Rubio

Rand Paul

Chris Christie

Mike Huckabee

SPECIAL REPORTS

Pharmacy’s battle for recognition continues

Fifty years ago this summer, President Lyndon B. Johnson secured his place in history by signing into law the legislation that created Medicare and Medicaid. To commemorate the anniversary, Drug Store News has put together an exclusive report on the effect that Medicare and Medicaid have had on the retail pharmacy industry and how it has transformed the role of the pharmacist. more...

IN THIS ISSUE

In this issue, DSN profiles Rite Aid and how the company is achieving a vision to become a retail healthcare company that delivers a higher level of care to its communities; takes you on a tour of Sears; offers insight into millennial shoppers and more. Click here to view the issue.